SWAN Chairman Gives Kudos to St Francis Catholic Church for Promoting Sports

SWAN Chairman Gives Kudos to St Francis Catholic Church for Promoting Sports

By: Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna-North-West NIGERIA

The Chairman, Kaduna State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin has commended the move by Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Mando in organizing Sports activities to promote sports among the church members as a means of keeping fit as sports  is seen to be a way of prolonging one’s life span.

This commendation was given while fielding questions from newsmen in Kaduna, Igabi Local Government Area at the Church 1^st Edition of Its Sports Weekend organized by the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) which started with a walk from the parish premises to Mando roundabout and back to the church.

Apart from the ‘Walk, other activities were aerobics, 5-aside and corridor football matches, ludo, chess, badminton and Scrabble. Highlight of the day’s events was the free medical check-up by Fateeman Clinic from Angwar Dosa and administration.

Upon their return from the ‘Walk, they were engaged in aerobics by an expert. Top of the sports events was the 5-aside football match between Parish priests Team versus Assistant Parish priest Team B.

Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, the Parish Priest of the Church, Reverend Father David Anekwe accompanied by his Assistant Parish Priest, Reverend Father Polycarp Kure performed the kick-off ceremony after the traditional introduction of the players of the two teams which was officiated by the Public Relations Officer of Kada Football Club of Kaduna, Coach Jide Bodunde under the watch of the teaming spectators and members of the church who were there to boost their morale.

The SWAN Chairman showing solidarity  to his Treasurer  Ms. Emelda Odor who is a member of the Church, had  applauded her  sportsmanship and encouragement given to members of the Association in organizing sports saying, what sports does to human life cannot be over emphasized.

He called on other members of the Association to emulate the Treasurer by organizing sports events to impact on the lives of others while urging the church members to support Ms. Emelda’s initiative so as to take sports to a higher level.

Mr. Isaiah Benjamin promised to do all within his reach to ensure that the sporting event is sustained by the church promising to always support whenever he is called upon as SWAN’s vision is to see sports developed in the State and nation at large.

In an interview shorting after the 5-aside football, the Parish Priest, Reverend Father David Anekwe informed that because sports is a unifying factor, the Parish wants to use sports to promote peace in the community and to complement state government’s  efforts in ensuring that peace reign in the state for no development takes place in a chaotic situation.

“It is said that, health is wealth which is why it is important for the parishioners to participate in social activities such as sports in addition to normal Masses and other religious activities.

“I love the turnout of the parishioners for the event and l commend the participants and the organizers. Another of such event would be

organized in the near future depending on availability of funds while more parishioners would be expected” he stressed.

The high-spirited parishioners who were full of  excitement throughout the events had expressed happiness and satisfaction over the success of the programme. They commended the Parish Priest, his Assistant and the Organizing Committee for a job well done while they look forward to the next edition before the end of the year.